Authorities say a 13-year-old Harahan boy who had recently completed a house arrest sentence for a burglary conviction exercised his new freedom early Wednesday morning by breaking into three vehicles and a house - while the resident was inside and sleeping. Harahan Police Chief Mac Dickinson did not release the name of the boy because he is a juvenile.

Harahan Police Department

The teen's alleged burglary spree ended just before 4 a.m. when a neighbor in the 1500 block of Hickory Avenue noticed him entering into a vehicle, Dickinson said. Officers caught up with the young man and found him with stolen property. They determined he burglarized a total of three vehicles, all in the same block of Hickory.

"The vehicles were unlocked and he was just walking and checking them," Dickinson said.

But the officers also found the teen with a cell phone that had been taken from a residence in the 1600 block of Hickory Avenue, the chief said. Officers contacted the owner, who didn't even know she'd been burglarized. Dickinson said the boy broke into the house and took the phone while she was asleep.

The teen's parents told investigators that he had been convicted in Jefferson Parish for burglary and was sentenced to house arrest. Dickinson did not know that length of the sentenced, but said his confinement ended Monday.

The teen was booked with simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and three counts of simple burglary. No bond information was available.

Dickinson was especially appreciative to the resident who called in authorities after spotted the teen in the vehicle. He urged citizens to secure their homes, vehicles and valuables.

"Residents still need to lock of their cars and windows and be aware of any type of suspicious activity," he said.